Ignition coil adapter for a distributorless ignition system

Abstract

An adapter providing electrical and water-tight mechanical connection between a spark plug cable and a high output terminal of a distributorless ignition system. An expandable, electrode extension is anchored in the ignition system terminal at one end and connected to the spark plug cable via a spark plug terminal at the opposite end. The extension fits within a rubber insert that is inserted into the ignition tower to provide a water tight seal.

I claim: 
     
       1. An adapter for connecting an electrical terminal of a spark plug cable to a high voltage output terminal of a distributorless ignition system having a cup-shaped electrode and dielectric tower, said adapter comprising: an electrode extension providing electrical connection between said cup-shaped electrode and said spark plug cable, said extension having a substantially cylindrical body with first and second ends;   said first end of said extension constructed and arranged to fit within said cup-shaped electrode and having means for mechanical connection to said electrode;   said second end of said extension having means for mechanical connection to said spark plug cable;   a boot member, said boot member having first and second ends;   said first end of said boot member annularly disposed around said spark plug cable; and   an insert member, said insert member coaxially disposed around said body of said extension; a first end of said insert member disposed in water-tight relation within said tower, a second end of said insert disposed in water-tight relation within said second end of said boot.     
     
     
       2. The adapter described in claim 1, whereby; said means for mechanical connection between said extension and said cup-shaped electrode is an expanding member, said expanding member including: a threaded shaft extending the length of said body, said threaded shaft having a first end terminating in a cone, said cone having a small and large end, said large end of said cone in frictional relation to said body and extending outside said body and having a diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of said body;     an internally threaded retaining cap, said retaining cap constructed and arranged to house said second end of said shaft at said second end of said extension body;   a plurality of longitudinal slots in the first end of said extension body;   whereby, as said cap is rotated, said shaft moves axially towards said cap and said large end of said cone is pulled into said first end of said body, thus causing said first end of said body to separate along said longitudinal slots and contact said inside walls of said cup-shaped electrode, thereby providing mechanical connection between said body and said electrode.   
     
     
       3. The adapter described in claim 2, whereby said cap includes a slot for insertion of a screwdriver thereby allowing said cap to be rotated in a circular motion. 
     
     
       4. The adapter described in claim 3, whereby said large end of said cone includes a plurality of tabs located around the perimeter of said large end of said cone, said tabs constructed and arranged to contact said slots in said body, thereby preventing rotation of said threaded shaft as said cap is rotated. 
     
     
       5. The adapter described in claim 4, whereby said means for electrical connection of said second end of said extension to s id spark plug cable is a terminal, said terminal having a first and second ends, said first end attached to said spark plug cable and said second end constructed and arranged to fit over said cap. 
     
     
       6. The adapter described in claim 5, whereby said first end of said insert includes a plurality of decreasing diameters, said diameters slightly, larger than increasing inside diameters with said tower whereby said insert is held in said tower in a frictional relationship, thereby preventing moisture between said insert and said tower. 
     
     
       7. The adapter described in claim 6, whereby one or more of said decreasing diameters at said first end of said insert includes at least one sealing ridge, said sealing ridge extending around the perimeter thereof. 
     
     
       8. The adapter described in claim 7, whereby said second end of said boot includes a plurality of ridges around the interior thereof, said ridges forming inside diameters, said inside diameters slightly smaller than the outside diameter of said second end of said insert, giving said boot and insert a watertight, frictional relationship. 
     
     
       9. The adapter described in claim 1, whereby said means for mechanical connection between said extension and said cup-shaped electrode includes external threads at the first end of said extension, said threaded first end of said extension having an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of said cup-shaped electrode, whereby as said extension is rotated in said cup-shaped electrode, said threaded first end of said shaft engages said cup-shaped electrode, anchoring said shaft in said electrode. 
     
     
       10. The adapter described in claim 1, whereby said means for mechanical connection between said extension and said cup-shaped electrode includes: a cone, frictionally insertable into said cup-shaped electrode whereby the larger end of said cone is adjacent to the bottom of said electrode, said cone having a threaded aperture in the smaller end;   a threaded shaft coaxially housed within said extension body, said shaft constructed and arranged to be threaded into said aperture in said small end of said cone;   whereby, as said shaft is rotated, said cone is pulled into said body, expanding said body into said walls said cup-shaped electrode, thereby anchoring said extension in said electrode.   
     
     
       11. A device for transmitting electrical energy from a distributorless ignition system having a cup-shaped electrode and dielectric tower to a spark plug, said device comprising: a length of electrical cable;   means for electrically and mechanically connecting said cable to said spark plug;   an electrode extension providing electrical connection between said cup-shaped electrode and said spark plug cable, said extension having a substantially cylindrical body with first and second ends;   said first end of said extension constructed and arranged to fit within said cup-shaped electrode and having means for mechanical connection to said electrode;   said second end of said extension having means for mechanical connection to said spark plug cable;   a boot member, said boot member having first and second ends;   said first end of said boot member annularly disposed around said spark plug cable; and   an insert member, said insert member coaxially disposed around said body of said extension;   a first end of said insert member disposed in water-tight relation within said tower, a second end of said insert disposed in water-tight relation within said second end of said boot.   
     
     
       12. The device described in claim 11, whereby: said means for mechanical connection between said extension and said cup-shaped electrode is an expanding member, said expanding member including: a threaded shaft extending the length of said body, said threaded shaft having a first end terminating in a cone, said cone having a small and large end, said large end of said cone in frictional relation to said body and extending outside said body and having a diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of said body;   an internally threaded retaining cap, said retaining cap constructed and arranged to house said second end of said shaft at said second end of said extension body;   a plurality of longitudinal slots in the first end of said extension body;   whereby, as said cap is rotated, said shaft moves axially towards said cap and said large end of said cone is pulled into said first end of said body, thus causing said first end of said body to separate along said longitudinal slots and contact said inside walls of said cup-shaped electrode, thereby providing mechanical connection between said body and said electrode.     
     
     
       13. The device described in claim 12, whereby said cap includes a slot for insertion of a screwdriver thereby allowing said cap to be rotated in a circular motion. 
     
     
       14. The device described in claim 13, whereby said large end of said cone includes a plurality of tabs located around the perimeter of said large end of said cone, said tabs constructed and arranged to contact said slots in said body, thereby preventing rotation of said threaded shaft as said cap is rotated. 
     
     
       15. The device described in claim 14, whereby said means for electrical connection of said second end of said extension to said spark plug cable is a terminal, said terminal having a first and second ends, said first end attached to said spark plug cable and said second end constructed and arranged to fit over said cap. 
     
     
       16. The device described in claim 15, whereby said first end of said insert includes a plurality of decreasing diameters, said diameters slightly larger than increasing inside diameters within said tower whereby said insert is held in said tower in a frictional relationship, thereby preventing moisture between said insert and said tower. 
     
     
       17. The adapter described in claim 16, whereby one or more of said decreasing diameters at said first end of said insert includes at least one sealing ridge, said sealing ridge extending around the perimeter thereof. 
     
     
       18. The device described in claim 17, whereby said second end of said boot includes a plurality of ridges around the interior thereof, said ridges forming inside diameters, said inside diameters slightly smaller than the outside diameter of said second end of said insert, giving said boot and insert a watertight, frictional relationship. 
     
     
       19. A method of connecting a boot having a spark plug cable and spark plug terminal to the high energy output terminal of a distributorless ignition system having a cup-shaped electrode and a tower, said method comprising the steps of: inserting an insert and an extension into said output terminal of said distributorless ignition system, whereby said insert seals said tower and said extension extends into said cupshaped electrode;   rotating said extension until said extension is anchored in said cup-shaped electrode;   attaching said boot, to the top of said extension whereby an electrical connection is maintained between said cup-shaped electrode and said spark plug cable and a water-tight relationship exists between said boot and said insert.